Release Detail

January 20, 2000 - New York Voters Back 3 - 1 Pataki Plan To Help Teachers,
Quinnipiac College Poll Finds,
Mayor Keeps Slight Lead In Senate Race

New York State voters back 72 - 20 percent a proposal by Gov. George Pataki to use
state funds to pay college tuition for students who agree to become teachers in public schools
where students perform poorly, according to a Quinnipiac College poll released today.

Voters also back 71 - 21 percent using state funds to pay college tuition for students
who agree to become teachers in any New York State public school, the independent
Quinnipiac College Poll finds.

And 56 percent of voters say state funding for New York City public schools should be
increased, while 5 percent say it should be decreased and 31 percent say it should be kept the
same.

Support for the two teacher tuition proposals is strong among upstate, suburban and New
York City voters.

Support for increased state funding for New York City public schools is 43 percent
upstate, 76 percent in the City and 52 percent in the suburbs.

"There's nothing like money in the pocket to stimulate people's generosity. New York is
sitting on a big budget surplus and voters give a big yes to Gov. Pataki's proposal to give
financial help to college students who agree to teach in the toughest schools," said Maurice
Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac College Polling Institute.

"In fact, they go the Governor one better and say help students who promise to teach in
any public school in the state."

"Should New York City's share of the state school dollar be increased? Naturally, New
York City voters think so. But so do a good number of upstaters and suburbanites. Where's
that `New York City against the world' spirit we hear so much about?" Carroll asked.
Senate Race

Despite the big move to Chappaqua and the appearance on David Letterman, First Lady
Hillary Rodham Clinton has been unable to break New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's
thin 46 - 42 percent lead in their still-undeclared race for the U.S. Senate.

That number is unchanged from Quinnipiac College polls in October, November and
December.

Men back the Mayor 54 - 33 percent, while all women back the First Lady 49 - 38
percent.

By a 41 - 30 percent margin, voters have a favorable opinion of Giuliani, with 24 percent
mixed and 5 percent saying they don't know enough to form an opinion. This is up from
Giuliani's 35 - 28 percent favorability rating December 16.

Clinton's favorability is 37 - 36 percent, with 23 percent mixed and 3 percent saying they don't know enough to form an opinion. Her favorability December 16 was 32 - 35 percent.

"Mayor Giuliani moved slightly ahead of Mrs. Clinton late last year and that's where
they stand today," Carroll said.

"Clinton and Giuliani are so well known now -- with only a handful of voters saying they
don't know enough to form an opinion -- that nothing in the news seems to affect the status of
their campaign to be."

From January 11 - 17, Quinnipiac College surveyed 812 New York State registered
voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percent. The Quinnipiac College Poll,
directed by Douglas Schwartz, conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Pataki is handling his job
as Governor of New York?

28. Governor Pataki has proposed using state funds to provide college tuition
assistance to students who agree to become teachers in New York public schools
where students are performing poorly. Do you think this is a good idea
or a bad idea?